Intel Cranks Xeon Quad-core Processor up to 3GHz

Intel is giving its Xeon 5300 series a faster server processor and adding a second quad-core model with a 50watt thermal power envelope.

Intel is ramping up its latest quad-core processor to 3.0GHz.

Starting Aug. 13, the chip giant will begin offering a new quad-core Xeon processor, the X5365, which will have a top clock speed of 3.0GHz, a total of 8MB of Level 2 cache and 1333MHz FSB (front side bus). In addition, the new processor fits within a 120-watt thermal envelope.

Previously, Intel's fastest quad-core processor, the Xeon X5355, topped out at 2.66GHz. The company offers a number of older, dual-core models that run at greater than 3.0GHz, including the Xeon 5080, which clocks in at 3.73GHz.

On July 16, Intel began offering a quad-core desktop model, the Core 2 Extreme QX6850, also with a clock speed of 3.0GHz.

Intel will also offer a second quad-core Xeon processor, the L5335, which works within a 50-watt power envelope. That chip has a clock speed of 2.0GHz along with 8MB of L2 cache and a 1333MHz FSB. Intel, which has been shipping quad-core processors since November, now has 15 different models for PCs and servers.